Page 9 of Rockstar's Fake Engagement

“The contract needs to be thorough,” my lawyer, Steven, pipes up. “Duration of the engagement, public appearance requirements, social media protocols—“

“And a solid NDA,” Emily adds. “For both parties.”

“Wait,” Nate speaks for the first time since the meeting began. “Exactly how long are we talking about here?”

Rachel’s perfectly painted lips curve into a calculating smile. “Six months minimum. Six months of engagement, then an amicable split citing career demands and mutual respect.”

“Six months?” The word escapes me before I can stop it.

“Minimum,” Rachel emphasizes. “Depending on public reception and career trajectories, we might extend—“

“You want us to pretend we’re engaged for half a year?” Nate’s drummer’s rhythm falters.

“Of course.” Rachel looks at us like we’re particularly slow students. “And the engagement needs to be convincing.”

My head spins. This morning, I woke up single, focused on my career and my upcoming film. Now, I’m facing a six-month fake engagement to a man I met barely eight hours ago in a towel. I steal a glance at Nate. His expression is unreadable, but there’s tension in his shoulders as if he’s weighing the options and waiting for me to decide.

“The NDA will be ironclad,” Steven assures us, already typing. “All privacy protected, and a clean split guaranteed.”

“And the benefits are substantial,” Rachel chimes in. “Lacey, your film’s tracking numbers will soar with this story. The publicloves a romance, especially with someone like Nate—talented, respectable with a slight bad boy edge, but no scandal—“

“Plus,” Emily adds, “Family First is already expressing enthusiasm about the engagement. They’re talking about expanding Nate’s involvement beyond the initial deal.”

I feel Nate shift beside me, and I know that detail catches his attention. His music education program means something to him—that much was clear from our earlier conversation.

“We need an engagement story,” Rachel continues, undeterred by our silence. “Something private, romantic, but verifiable. Suggestions?”

The room erupts with ideas. A quiet proposal during filming of the new movie. A romantic dinner at an exclusive restaurant. A private moment after one of Wild Band’s concerts.

Through it all, I keep thinking about the article I read this morning before my world tilted sideways. “The Most Anticipated Films of the Year” listed my movie at number three. My big break. This is my chance to prove that I’m more than just a flash in the bucket movie star.

“Lacey?” Rachel’s voice snaps me back to attention. “Any preferences for the ring?”

Before I can answer, Nate raises a brow. “What, no staged proposal with fireworks and a full orchestra?”

Rachel hums, tapping her pen against the folder. “Actually, that’s not a bad idea.”

I groan. “Can we not?”

She shrugs. “Fine. We’ll keep it simple. But the point is, the world needs to see that you two are madly in love.”

Madly in love. Right.

I look at Nate again. He’s watching me closely, his dark blue eyes unreadable. I try to picture us together—the way we should look in front of cameras. Can I do this? Pretend to be engaged to someone I just met?

A man I barely know?

Then again, I’m a damn good actress, and I know how to play a role.

Rachel senses my hesitation and presses forward. “You do this, Lacey? Your film premieres without a hitch. You stay in the company’s good graces, and your career stays intact.” She turns to Nate. “And you? You sign that deal without a PR scandal ruining everything.”

Finally, Nate glances at me and then exhales, long and slow. “What exactly will this... engagement entail?” His voice is calm, but there’s something sharp in his eyes.

Rachel leans forward. “Public appearances, a few interviews, and an engagement announcement tonight at the Plaza. Then, we let the relationship unfold naturally in the press. You don’t have to go overboard—just enough PDA to be convincing.” She pauses, then adds with a smirk, “Hand-holding is the minimum, by the way.”

“And that’s all?”

Rachel looks from me to Nate. “This is a romance. No one is going to buy it if you two look like awkward coworkers.”

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